Chapter 5

Hutch insisted on going home after the case was wrapped up, in spite of Starsky's strongly-expressed opinion that he should see a doctor if he was ill.

"Starsk, it's fine, it'll go away by itself."

"It's not fine, have you seen your face?"

When Hutch only glared at him, Starsky resolved to make a doctor's appointment for his partner himself if Hutch didn't do it soon, and drag Hutch there if that was what was needed. However, for now, he decided that it was easiest to comply and take Hutch home.

***

"D'you mind if I come in with him Doc, we're cops and I'm his partner. He's scared."

"I am not!" Hutch glared at Starsky.

"C'mon then," answered Starsky, grabbing Hutch's arm and practically dragging him into the Doctor's office. As expected, Hutch had not made his own appointment, but kept putting it off, and in the end Starsky had made it for him, then forced him into the car to go there.

Several questions – and interruptions from Starsky – later, and the doctor diagnosed an ulcer.

"It can be caused by an improper diet, or skipping meals, but stress can worsen the symptoms – have you been under any stress lately?", the doctor asked.

"You could say that," was Hutch's answer. Starsky gave him a look, then elaborated for the doctor.

"Yeah, we been working on a murder case – it's taken a while to solve, and we didn't have a lot of time for anything else. It was a nasty case."

"I see. Well, that wouldn't help. Well, Detective," he continued, turning to Hutch, "I'll give you this prescription, and you," he turned back to Starsky, "make sure he takes them. Also watch what he eats – nothing spicy or fattening, and no alcohol or fizzy drinks."

Starsky grinned at Hutch. "With your diet, that shouldn't be a problem. He eats like a rabbit," he informed the doctor.

***

Back at the house, Hutch was taking full advantage of the situation to get Starsky waiting on him. Starsky was doing it, but giving Hutch a severe lecture at the same time. "Don't lie to me again Hutch. Ever. Well, unless you're planning me a surprise party. But we're partners, and we're best friends, and we're supposed to share things with each other, so if something's wrong, you gotta tell me, not hide it."

"What if you'd made fun of me?" Hutch asked, trying to make light of the situation.

"Why would I do that?"

"Well, I'd have made fun of you. Anyway, how come this didn't happen to you, we were both stressed about the case, and you eat way more garbage than I do."

For that, Starsky threw a cushion at Hutch's head.

"Hey, no attacking the patient!" Hutch complained.

***

Over the next couple of weeks, much to Starsky's amusement and Hutch's annoyance, Hutch began to crave junk food. Starsky realised though that as much as he wanted Hutch to come over to his side and love junk food, it was probably better for his health to stop him getting it. He frequently caught the blond trying to steal bits of food from him, and so finally decided that it was safer and easier if they both just ate 'rabbit food'. Starsky figured that this was a fair sacrifice on his part, as if it wasn't for his preoccupation, he might have noticed that something was wrong with his partner and been able to do something sooner.

They were now both feeling guilty: Hutch about the case, and Starsky about Hutch. However, after several hours of talking, they both managed to make each other feel better, and realise that there was little they could have done differently.

Starsky decided that he could help to make it up to Hutch by repairing the loose tiles he had seen on the roof before this whole thing began. However, Hutch was less enthusiastic, as he sat outside watching Starsky pretending to know what he was doing on the roof.

"Starsk, you're supposed to be reducing my stress, not giving me a heart attack."

"Hutch, it's perfectly safe up here. Not everyone is as clumsy as you." Starsky did seem to be doing well, but Hutch couldn't stop himself worrying.

"Starsk, I think that's as fixed as it's going to get, why don't you come down now?"

Hutch moved over to hold the bottom of their new ladder.

Starsky sighed. "Fine. I'm done up here anyway, but I don't know what you're so worried about." He started to climb down the ladder as Hutch continued to hold it steady. As Starsky came nearer to the ground, he decided it was easier to slide down the ladder. Unfortunately he slid quicker than he expected, and would have landed on the ground if he hadn't landed in Hutch's arms.

Hutch grinned down at him. "I thought you said it was safe for you up there. Klutz."

The End